Mechanic&#39;s shop work layout tool of the head and pivoted blade type



2 $HEETS-SHEET- 1 Sept. 23, 1952 J. c. THURSAC MECHANIC'S SHOP WORK LAYOUT TOOL OF THE HEAD AND PIVOTED BLADE TYPE Filed March 21, 1950 nven OI? (Ittorneg J. c. THURSACK 2,611,185 MECHANIC'S SHOP WORK LAYOUT TOOL OF Sept. 23, 1952 THE HEAD AND PIVOTED BLADE TYPE 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 FiledMarch 21, 1950 1 v Bnnen or A Julius C Thursa ck,

Gitorneg I Patented Sept. 23, 1952 MECHANICS SHOP WORK LAYOUT TOOL OF THE HEAD AND PIVOTED BLADE TYPE Julius C. Thursack, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application March 21, 1950, Serial No. 150,896

9 Claims.

This invention relates to a mechanics lay-out tool for shop work, proposing a tool of the general type which combines a blade and head, the blade being pivotally connected to the head for the purpose of sundry angular adjustments.

The object of the invention is toprovide a selfcontained tool of the above general type having novel features of structure and relation which enable the selection of various phases of cooperative capacity of the head and blade, phases within substantially the full range of items of shop layout work. Thus the improved tool, in and of itself and without requiring any association of special and structurally independent devices, is capable, for shop lay-out purposes, of an extremely wide range of uses, among which may be mentioned, as examples and not in a limiting sense, its uses as a square having a reversible capacity, a bevel, a reversible protractor of extreme range, as a tool for locating within a wide range of diametrical dimensions the center lines or diameters, either inside or outside, of objects of circular outline, e. g. patterns of various kinds, and the axial centers of such objects, and as a tool for applying squaring lines or angle lines to either inside or outside annular faces of sundry objects. A tool in accordance with the invention is capable of various other uses which will be :readily apprehended by the skilled mechanic and :is of special value in such fields -as wood and metal pattern making and tool and die making.

Generally speaking the tool of the invention is characterized by a transverse head having along one edge face a centering feature and bearing a protractor scale, by the provision of sundry openings adjacent the edge face of the head which has the centering feature, by the provision of a row of openings concentric to the protractor scale, by the provision of pins for selective fitting in various of the openings and for projection at either side of the head, and by the provision on the blade of features for cooperation with the pins, according to their particular arrangement and for various purposes of utility.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing the tool with its head and blade in such relation as to provide a square generally similar to a T square, the parts in this relation being available for sundry purposes of use and the blade being located above the head.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan showing the tool in reverse relation to the position in which it is shown in Figure 1, that is to say, turned in a lateral direction upside down from the position 2 in which it is shown in Figure land with the blade located below the head.

Figure 3 is an end elevation as viewed from the rear edge face of the head with the parts in the relation shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail fragmentary sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a, detail fragmentary sectional view of one of the pins as fitted in an opening extending between the upper and lower faces of the head, this view being taken, for example, on the line 55 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the tool as used for the location of center lines or diameters of objects of circular outline within a range which can be accommodated by the centering feature provided on an edge face of the head.

Figure 7 is a partial top plan view showing the tool with its blade located above the head and positioned distant from the location in which it is shown in Figure 1 and also showing the tool as in use for locating the diameter of an internally presented annular surface.

Figure 8 is a view in partial plan in a position inverted from the position of use and with its parts in a relation for use corresponding to their relation as shown in Figure 2 whereby, the tool being related to the work in the manner generally shown in Figure 2, extremely flat angular plotting lines may be drawn.

Figure 9 is a perspective'view showing the tool as in use for the application of angle lines to an internally presented annular surface of an object.

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the tool as in use for the application of angle lines to an externally presented annular surface.

The primary elements of the tool are a flatfaced head I and a, blade 2. The head has an edge face 3 which has straight alining portions 3a providing a functional straightedge, and is formed between its ends, and preferably at a central location, with a somewhat shallow or wide angled V-shaped recess 4 whereby, for certain purposes of use, the head may serve as a center head, the straight alining portions 3a extending for a substantial distance beyond each end of the recess 4. The blade 2 is connected to the head by a pivot pin 5, the axis of which is coincident with a line bisecting theangle of the recess 4. The pin 5 is provided at one end with an integral head Sand the head I is formed in each of its opposite flat faces, distinguished as A and B, with a recess I, either of which recesses may accommodate the head 6 in a flush relationship to the adjacent flat face of the head I. The part of the pin 5 which projects beyond the head I is threaded as at 8. The blade 2 is provided with a coplanar apertured lug 9 which projects from the fiducial edge I and the pin projects through the aperture of the lug 9, having a fit in such aperture sufficiently close to prevent loose play. The threaded part of the pin 5 carries a wing nut H by means of which the blade 2 may be clamped to the head and thereby fixed in any angular position to which it may be moved, the nut II preferably bearing directly against a washer I2 interposed between it and the blade 2. The axis of the pin 5 is in alinement with the fiducial edge III of the blade 2. The blade 2 may be selectively positioned adjacent either fiat face of the head-I, the drawings in Figures 1, 6 and 8 showing the blade adjacent the face A.

For the use of the tool as a protractor the'head I carries upon one of its faces, e. g. the face A, a protractor scale I3 of semicircular-extent with its radial center coincident with .the axis of the stem 5, the terminals of the scale I3 being .coincident with a base line H which,-of course, is parallel to the straightedgeit. The blade-2 has a straight alining extension 2a beyond the lug 9 and in the use of the protractor scale I3 the extension 2a projects across thescale with its edge IIla extending radially with respect to the scale and in alinementwith the-.fiducialredge I1II' of the blade.

In accordance with the invention the head I is provided with openings'l5, in different series, between its faces A and-B, each .of which openings is available for the accommodation of:.an unheaded rod-likepin I6 of. uniform diameter. In anyactivesetting of a pin I6 itwillproject well beyond one of the fiat faces A or iB'o'f :the head I and its :inner end face will be substantially flush with the opposite fiat face of the head I. Thus, as shown :in Figure 5, a .pin I6 is shown as projecting upwardly beyond the face A of the head I 'withyits lower end face substantially flush; with the other face B. The openings I5 are of uniform diameter and each pin I6 is of a diameterconformable to the openings whereby it may have a close tfriction fit in any opening such that it will be stably positioned and may be shifted by thumb pressure to project beyond either .of. .thefacesA or B of the head.

In accordance with the invention the openings I5 are provided inifunctionally differentiated series. Thus one series 0 is .in a row adjacent, and parallel to, the straightedge '3 and .a second series D is concentric with the scale I3 and preferably adjacent .its perimeter. A third series 'E, comprising but two openings, is optionally, and. preferably; provided, each opening being located adjacent. an opening at the outer end of the series 0 and the ltWO openings of the series E. being alined' inv parallel relation to the openings of the series C andbeinglocated between the two series Cand D- The number: of openingsin the series C and D is, in each instance, a matter of selection. Generally speaking, six openings in the series C and five openingsv in theseriesfD will be ample. The openings of the series C :are provided in equal number. at each side of; and symmetrical to, the apex of the recess 4' and at each side of the apex are in suitable spacedrelation. Thus the openings of series C are. a pair, each .adjacent the apex, a pair, each at an end of the series and a pair intermediately located, the

openings of corresponding pairs being equidistant from the apex. The axis of the central opening of the series D is coincident with a adial line which bisects the angle of the recess 4. The other openings of the series D are arranged symmetrically to the central opening, two at each side. The openings of the series D are preferably equidistantly spaced.

In the embodiment disclosed the tool may be normally equipped with five similar pins I6, two of which, for most purposes, may be normally arranged in openings of the series C in symmetrical .relation to the apex of the recess 4 and the-other three of which may be normally arranged in the openings of the series D, one in'the-central opening and the other two in adjacent openings. Each pin I6, as above noted, has a close friction fit in any one of the openings I5and=may be shifted by finger pressure to project beyond either face A or B of the head I, as

shown, :for'example, in Figure 5, an end face of -agpin I6 .asprojected beyond either face A or :B' of'the-head I being flush with the opposite face. :It will, of course, be understood that the mechanic, in :his use of the tool, may have a supply-of :similar pins I6 in the event that, because of lossorspecial circumstances, a pin or pins in addition to thefive pins above referred to should be needed.

:For the purpose of direct cooperation with some determined one of the pins I6 and resultant cooperation With the head I, the blade 2 is formed-in thezedge Illa of its extension portion 2a and near the end thereof with a recess I'I distant, by the extent of the radius of an arc of the scale I 3-,;preferably the outer arc, from the axis of thegpin 5; .inits body portion the :blade '2' isformed with a clearance opening I8, distant from the axisof the pin 5 by the same extent as the recess IT; and beyond the opening I8 the blade Ziis formed with a slot I9, the ends of which provide .shoulders .20 for cooperation with a pin I6.

By virtue of the features of structure and .combination'above described the tool is available for the various purposes of use, some of which are shown, byway of example, in the drawings and also for other purposes which the skilled mechanic will appreciate and illustration and description of. which is deemed unnecessary.

' -Figure- 1 shows the use of the tool as a T square. with. the straightedge 3 bearing against straight side of afiat rectangular work piece .P. In this use the two pins I6 in the openings of the series C have been positioned to project beyond the .face "B of the head I, their inner ends being flush with the face A, and the pin t6 which is located in. the central opening of the series B has been positioned to project beyond; the face Ar'the other .two pins in the open- :ings of the series D being positioned to project beyond theface B with their inner ends flush with the face A; the blade 2 has been swung from a position at th right of the position in which it is shown in Figure l to the position shown wherein the pin in the central opening of the series D serves as a stop and is accommodated in the recess I1; and the wing nut II has been tightened firmly to secure or clamp the blad'eIZ in the position shown wherein it extends at a right angle to the straightedge 3 and its fiducial edge I0 bisects the angle formed by the sides of the. recess 4.

The tool as shown in Figure '1, with its straightedge 3 bearing against the straight side of the piece P, may also be used as a protractor. In such use the pin it in the central opening of the series D is positioned to project beyond the face B with its inner end substantially flush with the face A as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 5.

Thus, when the tool, positioned in relation to the work piece P as shown in Figure 1 is to be used as a protractor all of the pins iii are positioned to project beyond the face B of the head i and their inner ends are substantially flush with the face A and the wing nut H is backed off suiiiciently to permit the manual movement of the blade 2 about the pivot pin 5. In the use of the tool as a protractor the plotting lines are marked in either or both directions on the work piece P, these lines being sufficiently exemplified at P in Figur 1.

With the parts of the tool in the relation shown in Figure 1 for use as a T square, as above described, the tool may also be applied to the circumferential faces of objects for the determination or location of diameters. This use of the tool is illustrated in Figures 2 and 6. Figure 6 assumes objects of diameters which may be accommodated between the angular faces of the recess 4 and shows, in dot and dash line, objects S and S at the extreme limits of such accommodation. Figure 2 assumes similar objects having diameters exceeding the capacity of the recess 4 and shows in dot and dash lines two objects T and T at the extreme limits of such accommodation.-

In the use of the tool as shown Figure 6 the head Lby virtue of the recess 3, serves as a center head. Likewise with the tool positioned in relation to either of the workpieces S or S the tool may be used for locating axial centers or as a protractor, the pins it and the wing nut H being in the relations above described for the use of the tool as a protractor in the position shown in Figure 1. In this use of the tool the blade 2 adjoins and extends across a flat end face of the work piece. I

In the use of the tool as shown in Figure 2 the head I also serves as a center head but does so by virtue of a pair of pins it in openings of the series C and the blade 2, as in the exampleshown in Figure 6, adjoins and extends across a flat end face of the work piece. Since the pins H5 which enable this particular use of the tool as a center head are adjacent the straightedge 3 and the objects T or T exceed the capacity of the angle defined by the sides of the recess 45, the tool is reversed but with its straightedge 3 adjacent the work piece, that is to say. with its face B at the upper side and its face A at the lower side. In such reversal the two pins in theopenings of the series C are shifted topositions wherein they extend beyond the face A, at that time the lower face. The pin in the central opening of the series D is also positioned to extend beyond the lower face A in order to serve as a stop in relation to the blade extension 2a as above described in connection with the use of the tool as shown in Figure 1. If the use of the tool as shown in Figure 2 be limited to the location of a diameter the position of the pins in the openings of the series D at each side of the central pin is immaterial. With the parts in the relation shown in Figure 2 the tool may also be used as a protractor in which case the nut H is backed off to an extent suitable to permit the facile movement of the blade 2 about the pivot pin 5 and all of the pins in the openings of the series D are positioned to project above the thenupper face B with their inner ends substantially flush with theface A. r

Figure 7 shows the use of the tool in connection with a piece U (shown in dot and dash lines) having an internally presented annular surface U, the tool in this relation being used cooperatively with the surface U for the determination of a diameter. In this use the blade 2 is positioned at an angle of from the position of use as shown in Figures 1 and 6. As in the preceding uses the blade 2 bears against a flat end face of the object. In relation to the object the straightedge 3 is remote and the center head function is served by two outside pins it in the openings of the series D. The face of the head i adjacent the end face of the object against which the blade 2 bears is the face A and the two outside pins l6 project beyond the face A and bear against the internally presented annular surface U. As used for the determination of a diameter one of the pins IS (the upper pin as viewed in Figure '7) extends through the. clearance opening Hi, the blade 2 being held by the wing nut l l in a position wherein its fiducial edge 18 coincides with the line which bisects the angle formed by the sides of the recess 4. As shown in Figure '7 the two outside pins I6 are fitted in openings of the series D immediately'adjacent the central opening. However, if the annular surface U be of such diameter that the two outside pins It thus located do not afford a sufficiently steady base, these pins may be'relocated in the outer openings of the series D in which case the clearance function of the opening i8 is not required. 1

When the tool, as shown in Figure 1, with its straightedge bearing against the straight side of the work piece is to be used as a protractor and all of the pins it have their inner ends substantially flush with the face A as above described, substantially no limitation is placed upon the wide angularity or flatness of the plotting lines in relation to the straightedge 3, this for the reasons that the blade 2 may be pivotally moved freely across the entire extent of the face A and that the plotting lines may be drawn in either direction relatively to the center line, either by the use of the fiducial edge it) or by use of the opposite edge lilb which is parallel to the fiducial edge. However this mode of using the tool as a protractor involves the resetting of the blade 2. If, for example, the blade 2 in the position of the tool shown in Figure 1 be positioned to extend 15 to the right of the center line, the successive positioning of the blade 2 to extend 15 to the left of the center line involves a resetting of the blade. This resetting may be avoided by securing the blade 2 by means of the wing nut H and by reversing the position of the tool, that isto say, changing it from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure 2 wherein two of the pins adjacent the straightedge 3 will project below the face A which, in the reverse position shown in Figure 2, is the lower face of the head I.

If, however, plotting lines of extremely wide or flat angularity are to be drawn such as will require the positioning of the blade beyond the positions of the two pins l6 adjacent the straightedge 3 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 (wherein these pins are located in corresponding openings of an intermediate pair of the series C) the avoidance of resetting by reversal of the tool from the position which is shown in Figure 1 to the position 7, which. is shown .in Figure-2 for a use in which the pins I 6 adjacent the straightedge .3 are to be used. fora. bearing on centeringfunction, depends upon therelation of these pins to the blade 2. This is shown in Figure 8 wherein the blade 2 has been moved to a position in which it projects to the right of the head. I and its fiducial edge I is adjacent the opening of the series E at the right. In such relation the. pins I6 will bepositioned in the openings of the series E and will project beyond the face A, the pin. I6 in the right handopening' of theiseriesE limiting the further movement. of the blade -2.in:a downward. direction (as viewedin. Figure 8) With the blade 2 and the pins. L6 in the openings of .the series E and withthe. wing nut H tightened the tool. may be reversed, i. e. turned fromthe position of Figure 8 to the position ofFigureZ, .to enable the plotting lines tobe drawn .at the same angles but in the opposite direction whileavoiding the necessity for resetting the blade. If, now, plotting lines are to be drawn beyond. limitsuof the pins I6 in the openings of the series B these pins are. shifted to the extreme openings of. the series C wherein they project beyond theface A, thepin I6 in the opening at the right end. of the series E (as viewed inFigureS') being'accommodated in the clearance slot I9 whichwillpermit movement of the blade .2 to the extreme limit at which angular plotting lines may be drawn. .In' the manner above Y while avoiding the necessity for resetting the blade.

.Figure 9 shows the useof the tool for. inscribing linesupon aninner annular: surface W of a work piece X. The lines may be squaring lines or angle lines, the latter being shown. In this use of the tool the .head I is in a plane at a right angleto the plane of the work piece X and the straightedge 3 bears against a flat face of the work piece. The blade 2 is fixed in position by the wingnut Il and if, as shown, the tool is to be usedas a protractor, angle lines may be drawn in the opposite direction by reversing the tool as above described. In these uses of the tool the piece X may be turned relatively to the tool or the tool may be turned relatively to the piece X, the blade 2 in either. event following the contour of the annular surface W.

Figure 10 shows the use of the tool for inscribing lines upon the outer annular surface Y of a work piece Z. The lines may be squaring lines or angle lines, squaring lines being shown. In this use-of the tool the blade 2 is shifted relatively to the head I to a position 130 distant from its position shown in Figure 9 and secured by the wing nut II. As shown in Figure. 10 the face B of the'head I is outermost and the bearing of the head against a fiatface of the work piece is accomplished by two of the pins l6 located symmetrically in relation to the central opening .of the series D. If the tool is to be used as a protractor, the blade is set for drawing lines of appropriate angularity; and lines of corresponding angularity may be drawn in the opposite direction by reversing the tool, using two pins symmetrically located in. openings of. the series C for bearing purposes and inscribing the lines by means of the extension .211. A in the use shown in Figure Q'the work piecemay be turned relatively to the tool or the tool'rmay be turned relatively to theworkpiece, the blade 2 in either event-following the contour. :of the annular .surface Y.

.I claim:

1. In. a Inechani'cs :shop work lay-out toolv of the type which comprises ahead having opposite fiat faces and a straightedge, a blade having a fiducial edge, a pivot pin connecting the blade and the head, the blade being mounted on the pivot pin adjacent one of the flat faces of the head, beingmovableabout the pivot pin relatively to Lt'he'headin either direction to various operative positions within a. range of relatively to the straightedgearrd having itszfi'ducial edge in radial alinement with. the pivot'pin, and a wing nut mounted onth pivot pin for clamping the blade to the headin any position to which the blade may be moved about the pivot; pin a an axis: the improvement which consists, in combination, in a :firstseri'es'ofopenings'in the head adjacent and, as a series, para1lel' to the straightedge, the openings being symmetrically arranged at opposite side'scf thecentr'al point of the straightcdge, a second series of openings in the head located, relatively to the 'straightedge, beyond the first series of openings, the openings of the second series being arranged along an arc of which the pivot pin is the radial center, and a plurality of pins having uniform diameter for location selectively in the openings of the first and second series and for selective cooperation with the blade or the workpiece, the pins being removable from said openings and each pinhaving a friction fit in any of said opening as a selected opening and for-thepurpose of cooperation with the blade or the work piece being manually displaceable to project from either fiat face of the head with an end substantially flush with the opposite flat face of the head.

2. A mechanics shop work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head is provided on the flat face adjacent/the blade with an arcuate projector scale of which the pivot pin is the radial center, the arc of the openings of the second series being concentric to the projector scale, and the blade has an alined straight extension which projects across and beyond the projector scale when the blade, in any'position thereof, projects beyond the straightedge.

3. A mechanic's shop work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the straightedge has a centrally located wide angled V-shaped recess, the openings of the first series being arranged at each side of the recess.

4. A mechanic's shop work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the blade is provided with an alined straight extension beyond the pivot'pin having an edge in alinement with the fiducial edge of theblade, the extension in certain adjustments of the blade about the pivot pin being moved toa position in which it projects beyond the straightedge, the second series of openings includes a central opening located in relation to the pivot pin along a line at right angles to the straightedge, and the extension of the blade is provided near its end and along its said edge with a recess to accommodate a pin located in the central opening of the second series.

5. A mechanic's shop work lay-out tool as set forthinclaim 1 wherein the blade is formed with a clearance opening'toaccommodate a pin in an opening of the second :series at one side of the center of the secondseries.

6. A mechanicfs shopv work lay-out tool as set forth in claim. 1 wherein the blade has a clearance slot to accommodate a pin in an extreme opening of the first series.

7. A mechanics shop work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein a third series of openings is provided in the head and consists of but two openings arranged along a line parallel to the straightedge, each opening of the third series being located behind and adjacent an extreme opening of the first series and serving for the accommodation of one of said pins which may be positioned to project beyond either flat face of the head.

'8. A mechanics shop Work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein a third series of openings is provided in the head and consists of but two openings arranged along a line parallel to the straightedge, each opening of the third series being located behind and adjacent an extreme opening of the first series and serving for the accommodation of one of said pins which may be positioned to project beyond either flat face of the head, and the blade has a clearance slot to accommodate a pin in an extreme opening of the first series or in an opening of the third series.

9. A mechanic's shop work lay-out tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein the blade has an alined 10 straight extension which projects across the head when the blade, in any position thereof, projects beyond the straight edge.

JULIUS C. THURSACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France Apr. 20, 1926 

